The work of G.E.E.S. will continue and all correspondence will be managed by Caroline Holt Wilson

Gondar (Ethiopia) Eye Surgery

Welcome to the GEES website

GEES is a small focused charity promoting eye services in Northern Ethiopia through support for the Eye Department at Gondar University in the centre of Amhara Region. The improving department and associated teaching will act as a template for improved eye care for rural Ethiopia and provide places for students from other parts of Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa.

The Charity was founded in 2003 by the late Dr Alexander (Sandy) Holt-Wilson OBE who had previously worked for 5 months in Gondar. GEES has no paid staff and minimal overheads.

GEES has four trustees, one of whom has experience in Health Service Management and one is a qualified accountant.

Charity Background

Ethiopia has a population of over 80 million with 1.6% blindness. Amhara Region has 18 million population. In terms of GDP per head of population and money available for spending on Health Care, Ethiopia is the poorest country in the world. In terms of the less easily measured beauty of its scenery and welcome by its inhabitants it must rank among the wealthiest. GEES looks to support and expand developments in eye care in Northern Ethiopia (see Vision for the Future).